Don't let office stress make you lose your sense of humour.

Strong words, but the economic downturn together with the
pressure to do more work for less money to tighter deadlines means that people
are now suffering more and more in the workplace and this can manifest itself in
changes in behaviour. If the amount of stress you’re under suddenly exceeds
your ability to cope with it, you can lose your sense of humour, become
irritable and lose your temper far more quickly than normal.

There are even more health-related problems that can come
from stress such as over/under eating as well as drinking and smoking to
excess, both of which can lead to their own health problems.

Many of us actually thrive under a little bit of stress but
if it goes on for a long time it can lead to heart disease or stomach problems.

Learn to notice the
symptoms

It’s important to know when you’re stressed, especially if
you’re so used to it that it’s become a normal part of day to day life. Here
are a few warning signs:

Feeling anxious, irritable, or depressedIf you find yourself worrying on a Sunday night before going to bed or waking
up in a cold sweat on a Monday morning then it’s a sure sign you’re suffering
anxiety about work. This can also lead you to be irritable with people in the
house or your work colleagues.

Apathy, losing interest in work

OK, we know, it’s sometimes hard to get excited about work but if you’re
actually losing interest to the point you’re losing productivity then it’s time
to do something about it.

Stomach problems

The excess acid created by stress and worry can eventually lead to stomach
issues and pain. Get yourself to the doctor straight away so the symptoms can
be sorted out before they become major issues. Then, sort out the cause of
stress.

Sleeping problems

So many people suffer problems sleeping through stress, usually due to
over-active minds going into overdrive worrying about problems in the office.
If you need help to get to sleep then it’s a sure sign something needs to be
done to reduce your overall stress levels.

Stress is becoming a major issue in the workplace and it’s
up to us to do something about it because it negatively affects productivity
and without good productivity, none of us is working to our full potential.